Side delivery rake and frame therefor



Jan. 22, 1952 M, E, MQCLELLAN 2,583,383

SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND FRAME THEREFOR Filed Oct. 15, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 22, 1952 y M. E. MGCLELLAN I SIDE DELIVERY RKE AND FRAME THRFOR Filed oct. 15, 1949 s s'hets-sheet 2 MN E TA N V E T ML T lFiled Oct, l5. 1949 Jan. 22, 1952 M. E. MccLELLAN 2,583i383 SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND FRME THEREFOR I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 u, alli f wlwly I ri/:4W

l INVENTOR. M E. MCCLELLAN m BY Patented Jan. 22, 1952 SIDE DELIVERY RAKE AND FRAME v THEREFOR Marcus E. McClellan, Gttumwa, Iowa,'assignor to Deere Manufacturing Co., Dubuque, Iowa a; corporation of Iowa Application october 15, 1949,s'eria1N6.`121,513

This invention relates to a side delivery rake and main frame structure therefor, and `more particularly to a side delivery rake having` laterally spaced and longitudinally offset front wheels and a rear or `trailing caster wheel. The conventional sidev rake of ther type that is wholly supported on its own wheels and drawn by a tractor or other source of draft power cornprises -a longitudinal main frame carried on a pair of laterally` spaced, coaxial frontwheels and one or more trailing or rear caster wheels. The main frame suspends'a reel frame which is diagonal `to the line of travel, the reel frame and the rotatable reel Acarried therebyA being ordinarily arranged to windrow to the left. Although such conventional design is satisfactory ingeneral, it is found that it has a few disadvantages, one of which is the ineiciency of the rake on turns. That is to say, the conventional rake whips on sharp turns and the windrows are not uniform.

According to the present'invention, the front carrying wheels are staggered or longitudinally offset. Specifically, the left-hand wheel is ahead of the right-hand wheel and the single rear caster wheel is in longitudinal alinement with the left-hand wheel. The reel frame is disposed diagonally to theline of .travel and carries a rotatable reel for Windrowing to the left, in this respect functioning much in the manner of the conventionalA rake. However, it is found that the. staggered wheel arrangement causes the rake to form consistently uniformwindrows, even on sharp turns. This results from the fact that the wheels, being off center, or staggered, will'not pivot about a turning center as will the conventional coaxial wheels. For example, in the making of a left turn, the right-hand wheel, being laterally spaced from and in trailing relationship to the left-hand wheel creates frictional resistance between itself and the ground which causes the rake to follow the tractor without whipping. y y

Another featurev of the invention resides in the improved frame construction which is essentially of three-legged design, each leg carrying a wheel. Specifically, the frame is upwardly arched so that the reel frame may be disposed therebelow. The reel frame is arranged so that it is diagonal to the direction of travel and so that it extends forwardly and to the right between the staggered front wheels and rearwardly and to the left just ahead of the caster wheel. It is found that this arrangement gives the maximum open area at the left-hand side of the machine, which is essential for the maximum delivery of hay to a windrow. g

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of improved draft means for the rake. The leg portion of the framethat carries the forward left-hand wheel is generally in transverse alinementwith a forwardcorner portion of the reel-carrying frame and the draft means is connected to thesetwo points and comprises a pair "of forwardly extending bars which converge at a hitch point lying substantially on the longi-l tudinal centerline between the pair of front wheels. Y

` Still further objects of the invention reside in the provision of improved means for suspending the reel frame from the main frame; improved means for driving the rotatable reel; and means for housing or shielding the drive parts while accommodating structural parts of the rake.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent inand encompassed by the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a preferred embodiment is fully disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings, in 4which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the rake;

Figure 2 vis an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially von the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the caster wheel mounting;

Figure 3 is a' perspective view taken from the right-hand side of the machine;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mai frame itself;' i

Figure 5 is an enlarged ytransverse sectional view taken'substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;` Y .I Figure 6 is a'perspective view of the rake from its left-hand side; y

Figure 7 is an enlarged viewof the detail of mounting the right-hand front wheel, the View being taken generally as indicated by the line 1 1 in Figure 41; and

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in FigureY.

The rake has a main frame lll sustained by three wheels I2, M'and IB for forward travel over the ground. The main frame I0 suspends a reel frame I8 which is disposed diagonally to the line of travel and which is of rectangular shape as Vviewed from above, having its long dimension crosswiseof the direction ofl travel. The reel frame comprises a front orQleading member 20, a rear or trailing member 22, a righthand end member 24 anda left-hand end member 26; The reel frame'is provided substantially at the corner formed by the junction of the members 20 and 24 with a connection element in the form of a bracket 28 which is generally in transverse alinement with a connection element in the form of a bracket 30 at the forward end of the main frame l0. These two brackets provide means for connection to transversely space-apart elements formed by the rearfends of a pair of lforwardly converging draft members v32 and 34,

the forward 'ends of which 'are joined to a draftdraft power. As will be hereinafter more fully brought out, the tread or lateral spacing between the wheels I2 and I4 is substantially that of the conventional agricultural tractor.

As best seen in Figure l, the diagonal reel frame I8 is so disposed that it is .ahead of both the wheels I4 and I8 but is behind the wheel I2. The reel frame carries a rotatable reel 38 which operates to deliver swatched hay or straw forwardly and to the left, forming windrows outside the longitudinal upright plane including lthe wheels I2 and I6. The reel 38 derives power from the wheels I2 and I4, as will be hereinafter more fully developed.

The main frame itself is of novel construc tion. The design thereof will be best seen in Figure .4. This f rame comprises essentially an (elongated fore and aft beam 48,` preferably of tubular construction, and made up of an upper intermediate, longitudinal part 42 having opposite `or front and rear end portions 44 and 46, respectively. The beam 48 is yof upwardly arched construction, the part 42 forming the upper part of the arch. The legs of the arch are formed respectively by vfront and rear leg members or elements 48 and 58. respectively, each of which is also preferably of tubular construction to conform tothe upper intermediate part 42.I The front leg 48 has a rear end portion 52 rigidly joined (preferably by welding) to the forward end portion 44 of the part 42. The leg 48 inclines downwardly and forwardly or lengthwise as respects the general extent of the beam 4,8 to provide a free `end 54 which comprises a forward or front end portion of the beam 48. The rear leg 50 has a front end 56 rigidly joined (preferably by welding) to the rear end portion 46 of the upper intermediate part 42, and this leg extends downwardly and rearwardly, or in a direction lengthwise of the beam 40 and oppositely from the extent 4of the front leg 48. The rear leg 58 thus has a free end 58 which comprises a rear end portion on `the `elongated beam 40. As best seen in Figure l, the three components 42, 48 and 58 of the elongated beam 48 lie substantially in a common, longitudinal upright plane; yet, the leg 48 and intermediate part 42 are deflected laterally out of this plane for the purpose o f accommodating supporting or mounting means for the wheels I2 andr I6, the details of which will be set forth below. The free ends 54 and 58 of the front and rear legs 48 and 58, respectively, lie generally in a horizontal plane disposed below the upper intermediate part 42.

The main frame I8 further includes a second or transverse beam 68 which Ais preferably of tubular y,Crillsstrultio r1 and which has opposite or rightand left-hand ends 62 and 64, respectively. The left-hand end 64 is abutted against and rigidly joined to the ,elongated beam 48 at the junction of the leg 48 and intermediate part 4 2. The junction o f the beams 48 and 68 is preferably accomplished by removable means including upper and lower triangular gusset plates 66 and 68 and a plurality of removable securing means such as bolts or pins 18. The opposite or right-hand end 62 of the transverse beam 60 has rigidly joined thereto (preferably by welding) a forward end portion 'I2 of a third or right-hand leg 14. This leg inclines downwardly and rearwardly, or in the same direction as the rear or second leg 58, to dispose a free or rear end portion 'I6 thereof 4 at a point substantially midway between the free ends 54 and 58 of the iirst and second legs 48 and 58, respectively. The free end 'I6 of the leg "I4 is substantially in the aforesaid horizontal plane that includes the free ends 54 and 58 of the legs 48 and 50, respectively.

The transverse or second beam 88 is substantially normal to the intermediate part 42 of the beam 40 and is also normal to the longitudinal upright plane that includes the intermediate part. Hence, as viewed from the front or rear, the transverse beam 68 is substantially at the same level as the intermediate part 42, thereby giving the frame I8 an upwardly arched intermediate portion having the three staggered legs 48, 58 and 'I4.

The forward or free end 54 of the leg 48 is provided with means Afor mounting or carrying the left-hand wheel I2. ThisV means includes a transverse stub axle 'I8 rigidly fixed to the leg. Since the axle 'I8 is transverse, its axis is generally lparallel to the transverse extent of the second or transverse beam 68. The rear end or lower end 58 of the second or rear leg 58 is provided with wheel-mounting means comprising an upright bearing 88 provided with a vertical bore 82 (Figure 2) for rotatably carrying an upright standard 84. The lower end of the standard is provided with a yoke 86 which carries a transverse axle 88 (Figures 3 and 6) for journaling the caster Wheel I6.

The wheel-mounting means that effects the carrying of the leg I4 on the right-hand wheel I4 comprises complementary elements carried respectively by the leg 'I4 and by the wheel I6. The element on the free or lower end 'I6 of the leg I4 is here in the form of a bracket 98 which has a pair of apertured ears 92, the apertures being in alinement on a transverse axis which is therefore parallel to the axis of the stub axle 18.

The wheel I4 is carried on an axle 94 (Figure 3) which is in turn carried in a transversely elongated bearing 96. This bearing has rigidly fixed thereto a rst pair of transversely spaced apart ears 88 which are apertured to receive a connecting pin |88. This pin, when the bearing 96 and leg 14 are assembled, passes also through the apertured ears 92 on the leg. The bearing 96 further has rigidly secured thereto a third single ear |82 which is positionable above or behind the end I6 of the leg 14. This end of the leg is apertured to receive a pin |84 which is received also by the ear |82. Thus, the wheel I4 and its components are removably carried by the lower end of the leg 14.

The reel frame I8 is suspended from or supported by the frame I8 by means including first, second and third suspension members |86, 88 and I I8, respectively. These members are carried respectively by the legs 48, 58 and 14. The members |88 and |I8 are respectively adjacent or proximate to the wheels I6 and I4, whereas the member I 88 is relatively rearwardly remote from the left-hand wheel I2. The trailing or rear member 22 of the reel frame I8 is provided at a pair of points spaced lengthwise thereof with appropriate attaching ears ||2 and ||4 positioned respectively for cooperation with the frame-suspending members |88 and I|8. The connection at |88-I I2 is completed by a removable pin or bolt ||6 (Figure 3) and they connection at I I8,- I I4 is completed by a removable pin or bolt II8 (Figure 1).

The front member 28 of the reel frame I8 is provided intermediate its ends with an appropriate ear |20 positioned *for` alinementv with the suspending member |06 on the intermediate frame part 42 (Figure 6). The arrangement of the frame-suspending means |06`|22, I08| I6, and I |8, is such that the weight of the reel frame |8 is appropriately distributed among the three wheels |2, 4 and I6, while, at the same time, the maximum area is maintained at the left-hand side of the frame to permit the rake to deliver hay into windrows at that side of the rake. e

' The description to follow immediately will pertain to the vmeans for driving the rotatable rake reel 38, which extends lengthwise of and is journaled in the reel frame |8. Since the reel may be of conventional construction, the details thereof will not be described; f

As stated above, the transverse beam 60 is tubular or of such equivalent construction as to give it a hollow interior. The end 64 of the beam 60 is butted against the right-hand side of the tubular intermediate part 42 andthe latter is provided with a bearing-receiving aperture to receive or carry a bearing |26, which is in transverse alinement with the hollow interior of the beam 60. The opposite end of the beam is provided with closure means |28 (Figure 1) having a bearing-receiving aperture that carries a bearing |30 (Figure 1). The bearings |26 and |30 are coaxial on a transverse axis which is the principal axis of the beam'60.

The bearings |26 and |30 journal a transverse shaft |32 which is thus housed or enclosed by the tubular beam 60. The shaft projects at its lefthand end and has fixed thereto a drive member in the form of a sprocket |34. The wheel I2 includes a hub |36 to which is affixed a drive member in the form of a sprocket |38. Power-transmitting means in the form of an endless beltA or chain |40 is trained about or interconnects the drive members |34 and |38, thus transmitting power from the wheel I2 to the transverse shaft The opposite or right-hand end of the shaft |32 projects or is exposed at the right-hand end of the beam 60 and carries driving means including a drive member in the form of a sprocket |42. Inthe construction illustrated, the sprocket |42 is not keyed directly to the shaft |32 but is driven by the shaft through means including an overrunning clutch. that may be of conventional. de.- sign. The housing for such clutch is designated by the numeral |44. Powerftransmitting means in the form of an endless chain or belt |46 is trained about the sprocket- |42 and about a sprocket |48 which constitutes a drive member driven by the right-hand wheel I4. The sprocket |48 is not keyed directly to the hub of the wheel I4 but rather is driven by the wheel through means, that may include an overrunning clutch of anyv suitable design. The purpose of ther overrunning clutches in association with the sprockets |42 and |48 is, of course, to compensate for the differences in speed between the wheels I2 and I4 as the machine is operated on turns.

The bearing 96 for the wheel I4 has fixed thereto a gear case |50 which contains suitable gearing (not shown) for receiving power from the wheels I2 and |4` and for transmitting this power ultimately to the rotatable reel 38. For this purpose, the gear case |50 is providedwith an output shaft |52 which extends forwardly and vto the right on an axis generally parallel to the rear or trailing frame member 22 ofthe reel frame I8. The output shaft |52 is connected by a suitable universal joint 54 to a propeller shaft |56 which is in turn connected byan appropriate ur'iiversall joint |58 to a driven shaft |60 journaled in bearings |62 and |64 adjacent the outer or right-hand corner portion of .the reel lframe I8. The shaft |60 is parallel to the rear or trailing member 22 `of the vreel frame and has its outer end projecting beyond the right-hand end member-24 Yof the reelframe to xedly carry a drive member in the form of a sheave |66. The rotatable reel 38' is 'constrained for rotation with a-driven element or shaft |68 which, like the shaft' |60, is parallel to the general extent of the reel frame and which projects at the right-hand end of the reel frame. The shaft |68 carries at its projecting end a drive member inthe form of a sheave |10', and a power-transmitting element in the'form of a drive belt v|12 is trained about or interconnects the sheaves |66and |10. Thus.

.the drive components -just described comprise means for receiving power from the wheels I2 and I4 and foi-'transmitting that power ultimately tothe-ree138.

In Figure 2, the drive jchains |40 and |46 and the drive belt |12 have been exposed to show more clearly the arrangement and operation thereof. However, these drive elements are ncrmally enclosed by appropriate shields.y The shield for the belt |12 and sheaves |66 and |10 is designated by the numeral |14 and isV best shown in Figure 3. This shield may be carried in any appropriate manner on the right-hand end of the reel frame I8. It will be noted` that the connection element 28 for the right-hand draft member 32 is intermediate the sheaves |66 and |10. Therefore, the shield |14 is provided with an opening or aperture |16 for accommodating connection of the draft member 32 to the reel frame corner at 28.

The drive chains |40 and |46 respectively parallel the frame legs 48`and 14'. As best shown in Figure 6, the drive chain |40 is substantially enclosed by a shield |18 which has an upper end portion substantially enclosing the drive sprocket I 3,4. 'I'he other drive chain |46 at the right-hand side of .themachine'is enclosed by a shield |80 which hasan upper portion substantially surrounding or4 enclosing the drive sprocket |42, although exposing thev overrunning clutch housing The rearward or left-hand end of the reel frame is provided with adjusting means, designated. by the numeral I 82, for adjusting the height ofV the reel relative to the ground. vThe opposite end of the reel frame includes adjusting means, designated generally by the number |84, for effecting adjustment or feathering of the reel times, some of `which are illustrated schematically and designated by the numeraly |86. Both of the adjusting means just described may be of any conventional design Aand themselves of stripper bars |88. These may be of any conventional design. Since the function thereof is not unusual in the present rake, no further discussion thereof will be had.

The level of the main frame I0 relative to the Aground may be adjusted by means of raising or tively to adjusting chains |96. Each chain extends downwardly from its connection to the legs of the U-shaped member |94 and is trained about a pulley |98 and extends thence forwardly to a common connecting member 200. This member is in turn connected to a rod 202 which extends forwardly alongside the elongated beam 40. The front end of the rod is connected to a chain 204' which is in turn connected to adjusting means, designated generally by the numeral 206, carried by the transverse beam 60. This beam includes a crank 208 which may be manually operated to tighten or relax the adjusting connection ISS-2M. In so'far as the adjusting means is concerned generally, it could be replaced by that of any other suitable design.

The operation of the rake should be apparent from the foregoing description of its construction and design. Various features of the rake have already been outlined and need no further amplification. Other objects and features f the invention not specifically enumerated herein will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will numerous modifications and a1- terations in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, all of which may be achieved Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. v

What is claimed is: Y

l. A side delivery rake, comprising: a main frame having an elongated, fore and aft extending beam of upwardly arched construction pro viding an upper, intermediate part having front and rear portions, a front leg rigidly fixed to the front portion and inclining downwardly and forwardly therefrom to a forward end, and a rear leg rigidly fixed to the rear portion of said intermediate part and inclining downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a rear end, said main frame further having a transverse beam rigidly secured at one end to the fore and aft beam substantially at the junction of the intermediate part and front leg and positioned generally at the level of said intermediate part, and a third leg rigidly secured to the opposite end of the transverse beam and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to provide a rear end spaced transversely from the fore and aft beam and substantially midway between the front and rear legs; wheel means sustaining the frame for forward travel over the ground, including first and second fixed-direction wheels respectively `ournaled on the ends of the front and third legs, and a third caster wheel journaled on the end of the rear leg; a reel frame, of generally rectangular shape as viewed from above, positioned diagonally of the main frame and lying below the transverse beam and the intermediate part of the fore and aft beam and ahead of the third leg and between the front and rear legs, said reel frame further having a front corner portion transversely spaced from and substantially in transverse alinement with the forward end of the front leg and ahead of the third leg; means supporting the reel frame on the main frame; and a draft frame at the front end of the main frame, including a pair of transversely spaced apart elements connected respectively to the aforesaid corner of the reel frame and to the aforesaid forward portion of the front leg, and further havinga draft-connection element fixed to said transversely spaced elements and extending forwardly thereof to a point substantially on the longitudinal centerline between the first and second wheels.

2. The invention defined in claim -1, further characterized inthat: the means for supporting the reel frame on the main frame includes first, second and third suspension members carried respectively by the intermediate part of themain frame, the rear leg and the third leg.

3. Theinvention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: the first fixed-direction wheelis carried on an axle that extends transversely to` one side of the front leg, the caster wheel is positioned directly at the rear end of the rear leg, and the fore and aft beam is deflected laterally from an upright longitudinal plane so that said first fixed-direction wheel and the caster wheel are in longitudinal alinement.

4. The'invention defined in claim l, further characterized in that: the reel frame carries a rotatable reel having a driven shaft adjacent the aforesaid front corner to which the draft means is attached; the third leg carries means for ref ceiving .power from the second xed-direction wheel; and power-transmitting means is connected between said power-receiving means and said driven shaft.

5. 'The invention defined in claim l, further characterized in that: the reel frame carries a rotatable reel having a driven element; a transverse shaft is journaled on the transverse beam and has drive members at opposite ends thereof respectively at the front and third legs; the rst and second fixed-direction wheels have drive members respectively coaxial therewith; a pair of endless drive belts respectively connect the wheel and shaft drive members, and said belts respectively parallel the front and third legs; and power-transmitting means interconnects one wheel drive member and the reel driven element.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, further characterized in that: the transverse beam is of hollow construction and houses the transverse shaft, leaving the shaft drive members exposed at opposite ends of said shaft for connection respectively to said drive belts.

7. A side delivery rake, comprising: a main frame having an elongated, fore and aft extending beam of upwardly arched construction providing an upper, intermediate part having front and rear portions, a front leg rigidly fixed to the front portion and inclining downwardly and forwardly therefrom to a forward end, and a rear leg rigidly fixed to the rear portion of said intermediate part and inclining downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a rear end, said main frame further having a transverse beam rigidly secured at one end to the fore and aft beam substantially at the junction of the intermediate part and front leg and positioned generally at the level of said intermediate part, and a third leg rigidly secured to the opposite end of the transverse beam and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to provide a rear end spaced transversely from the fore and aft beam and substantially midway between the front and rear legs; wheel means sustaining the frame for forward travel over the ground, including first and second fixed-direction wheels respectively journaled on the ends of the front and third legs, and a third caster wheel journaled on the end of the rear leg; a reel frame, of generally rectangular shape as viewed from above, positioned diagonally of the main frameA and lying below the transverse beam and the intermediate part ofthe fore and aft beam andahead of the third leg and betweenthe fronty and rear legs; and means suspending the reel frame from the main frame. in-

9 cluding three suspension elements interconnecting the two frames, one element being located adjacent the second fixed-direction wheel, another adjacent the caster wheel, and a third relatively rearwardly remote from the rst fixeddirection wheel.

8. A side delivery rake, comprising: a main frame having an elongated, fore and aft extending beam having front and rear end portions, a transverse beam rigidly secured at one end to the fore and aft beam, and a leg rigidly secured to the opposite end of the transverse beam and extending rearwardly therefrom to provide a rear end spaced transversely from the fore and aft beam and substantially midway between the front and rear end portions of said fore and aft beam; wheel means sustaining the frame for forward travel over the ground, including first and second fixed-direction wheels respectively journaled on the front end portion of the fo-re and aft beam and on the rear end of the leg, and a third'caster wheel journaled on the rear end portion of the fore and aft beam; a reel frame, of generally rectangular shape as viewed from above, positioned diagonally of the main frame and lying between the leg and the front end portion of the fore and aft beam, said reel frame having a front corner portion transversely spaced from and substantially in transverse alinement with the forward end portion of the fore and aft beam and ahead of the leg; means supporting the reel frame on the main frame; and a draft frame at the front end of the main frame, including a pair of transversely spaced apart elements connected respectively to the aforesaid corner of the reel frame and to the aforesaid forward end portion of the fore and aft beam, and further having a draft-connection element fixed to said transversely spaced elements and extending forwardly thereof to a point substantially on the longitudinal centerline beween the first and second wheels.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, further characterized in that: a rake reel is rotatably carried by the reel frame and has a driven shaft adjacent said corner portion; powertransmitting means is provided for drivingly interconnecting the driven shaft and the second fixeddirection wheel, including a second shaft adjacent said corner portion of the reel frame, drive elements respectively xed to the shafts, and endless means trained about the drive elements; and a shield enclosing the endless means, and having an opening thereinvto accommodate the draft element at said corner portion of the reel frame.

10. A main frame for a side delivery rake, comprising: an elongated upwardly arched beam having an upper intermediate part including opposite end portions, a rst leg joined to and extending lengthwise and downwardly as a continuation of one end portion of said part, and a second leg joined to and extending lengthwise in the direction opposite from the first leg and further extending downwardly as a continuation of the other end portion of said part, said first and second legs and said intermediate part lying generally in the same lengthwise upright plane and said first and second legs having free end portions lying generally in a horizontal plane spaced below the general level of the intermediate part; a pair of wheel-mounting means secured respectively to the free end portions of the rst and second legs; a. second beam rigidly joined at one end to the elongated beam and extending generally normal to the elongated beam and generally normal to said upright plane; a third leg rigidly joined to the other end of the second beam and extending therefrom in the same direction as and generally parallel to the second leg, and

having a free end positioned intermediate the i free ends of the iirst and second legs and lying generally in the aforesaid horizontal plane; and a third wheel-mounting means secured to the free end of the third leg.

11. The invention dened in claim 10, further characterized in that: the second beam has a hollow interior and its end proximate to the elongated beam butts against the intermediate part of said elongated beam; and said intermediate part has a bearing-receiving aperture in alinement with the hollow interior of the second beam; and the opposite end of the second beam includes closure means having a bearing-receiving aperture coaxial with the aforesaid bearingreceiving aperture.

12. Thevinvention dened in claim 10, further characterized in that: the main frame has a plurality of reel-frame suspending elements one on the intermediate part and one each on the second and third le'gs.

13. The invention defined in claim 10, further characterized in that: the wheel-mounting means on the first leg includes a stub axle parallel to but extending in the opposite lateral direction from the second beam; and the wheel-mounting means on the second leg includes an upright bearing for receiving a caster wheel standard.

14. The invention dened in claim 13, further characterized in that: the wheel-mounting means on the third leg includes a bracket element apertured on an axis parallel to that of the stub axle.

15. A main frame for a side delivery rake, comprising: an elongated, upwardly arched beam having an upper intermediate part including front and rear end portions, a rst leg joined to and extending forwardly and downwardly as a continuation of the front end portion of said intermediate part, and a second leg joined to and extending rearwardly and downwardly as a continuation of the rear end portion of said intermediate part, said rst and second legs and said intermediate part lying generally in the same fore-and-aft upright plane and said rst and second legs having free end portions lying generally in a horizontal plane spaced below the level of the intermediate part; a second beam joined rigidly at one end to the elongated beam at the highest part of the arch thereof and extending generally normal to said elongated beam and generally normal to said upright plane; and a third Vleg rigidly joined to the other end of the second beam and extending` downwardly and rearwardly and generally parallel to the second leg, and having a free end'positioned intermediate the free ends ofthe first and second legs and lying generally in the aforesaid horizontal plane.

MARCUS E. MCCLELLAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 828,119 Johnston V- Aug. 7, 1906 

